On September 23, the official change of season from summer to fall occurred, signaling colder weather to come, even as the leaves start to change to the warmer colors. These atmospheric alterations outside our windows, like new temperatures and weather occurrences, for example, can affect our bodies, and we should be aware of these possible effects.

For starters, due to the dropping temperatures that bid adieu to the sunny 85-degree days of August, our bodies are more susceptible to sickness. This may be because people are inside more to keep warm, which means germs can be spread more easily. A solution for us hardworking students to keep a good immune system is getting enough sleep each night. A solid 7-8 hours is usually recommended. Sleep is actually a very significant factor when it comes to any equinox adjustment, since we must prepare ourselves and our health for what we may think of as drastic weather changes. 

Another thing that we should be more aware of is our mood imbalances. These imbalances could be due to lack of sunlight (this is very common after Daylight Saving Time ends on November 5, and we set our clocks back an hour), weather abnormalities, and lack of sleep. This last factor might be familiar to students having late study nights or  busy afternoons filled with sports and/or other extracurricular activities. 

While the changing seasons can make us more aware of our health habits and how we may use our time, the habits that help us during these times can benefit us during the entire school year. We should always make sure that we are taking care of ourselves in a sufficient manner, putting our time to any work that must be finished for the next day, and getting the suggested amount of sleep each night. One way of ensuring enough sleep is to have a work schedule for each day of our week. This can prevent  us from becoming overly moody or stressed. Taking care of ourselves now, as we adjust to changing seasons, and maintaining healthy habits after that will enable us to enjoy fun school activities, like the Harvest Moon, and be able to do our work with less stress.

Becoming more conscious of our health can even make us happier with our busy schedules. So, be prepared for the coming time change. Get some sleep. Organize your work. Enjoy as much of the limited daylight as you can. You might even get to cozy up and enjoy some unusually warm afternoons watching some Gilmore Girls.